The 5 best luxury gyms to train like an sporting hero

Looking for a luxury gym with star trainers? Here’s where London celebrities get their work out

* BXR Gym

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* The Clock gym

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* The Mandarin Oriental

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* KX Life

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* City Athletic

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* Embody Fitness

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* BXR Gym

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A-List Gyms

If you’re wondering why your workout doesn’t seem to be producing great results or perhaps you’re growing tired of a gym that's growing slightly tatty round the edges gym, then take a look at some of the more stylish, and effective, options open to you. From training machines that resemble something from a sci-fi film to ingenious gym regimes which top sports stars swear by, the world of fitness has moved on leaps and bounds. It’s time to get with the programme – read on to find out more.

The Clock

A discreet Marylebone townhouse door gives no clue to the temple of fitness that resides inside, although this is about as far from a gritty, iron-pumping gym as you can get. Plush and sophisticated, with a chandelier, fireplace and soaring ceilings – the workout room even houses a grand piano – this is a wonderfully British take on fitness and it’s little wonder the fashion pack love it. Morning yoga classes with Tahiche are highly recommended.

Mandarin Oriental

In prime Knightsbridge territory – Harvey Nichols is opposite, One Hyde Park is next door – it’s little wonder that the underground fitness centre at the fabulous Mandarin Oriental hotel is popular with some of the capital’s wealthiest people. And while the stylish stainless steel swimming pool and Technogym-equipped workout areas are a big draw, the main reason HNWs and celebs drop in is for a personal training session with Ruben Tabares. A former strength and conditioning coach for boxers David Haye and Amir Khan, Tabares brings a deep knowledge of both nutrition and exercise science to his sessions, ensuring all who experience them will both feel good and look good.

KX Life

Tempus has spent a fair bit of time at this place and can safely say it’s one of London’s finest fitness and wellbeing centres. From the stylish changing rooms (with Kiehl’s toiletries, of course), to the steam rooms, plunge pools, spa and state of the art gym, this is the definition of a five-star experience. Carlos Andrade, former European kickboxing champion, is our trainer of choice for a combat-based workout that will leave you sweating but exhilarated.

City Athletic

Shaun Stafford is an intriguing character – a former European and World Fitness Champion who also holds an MA from Oxford. His clients include Mike Horsley (ex-England and Harlequins RFC) who calls him “one of the best coaches in the world” and Stafford operates from the celebrated City Athletic gym, a 5,000 sq ft performance suite in the heart of London’s financial district – which even boasts a two-lane sprint track.

Embody Fitness

This City gym specialises in speedy body transformations thanks to sports trainer Tom Ward’s fat-busting sessions, and has a reputation that speaks for itself thanks to its illustrious clientele – including gold medal winning Olympic rower James Cracknell, England rugby player Joe Worseley, and heavyweight boxing champ David Haye. While the expert team will push you hard, they also believe in playing hard, and strive to make the gym-floor experience as fun and motivating as possible. If that’s not enough, their rehab, physio and massage facilities, not to mention delicious nutritional guidance, complete the experience.

BXR

Industrial, but not intimidating. Challenging, but not overwhelmingly so. Working out at boxer Anthony Joshua’s BXR gym gives you a true taste of what it’s like to train like a champion. There are three big studios, but those in-the-know use the member’s section as that’s where former professional boxer Gary Logan will put you through your paces. As a man who’s looked after world champs George Groves and Andy Lee, you know that you’re in safe, if demanding, hands.

Joshua said: “BXR is a passion project for me. I want people to train like I train. We have pulled together the best coaches, medical teams and equipment in the business. Offering state of the art training facilities for anyone who wants to join.”